Regions › Minnesota › Twin Cities & St. Croix Valley

Twin Cities & St. Croix Valley

Minnesota's wine heartland; Waconia's three-winery cluster, the St. Croix Valley trail, urban Minneapolis producers, and the state's pioneering Alexis Bailly Vineyard in Hastings.
18Wineries
MarquetteSignature
Metro & River ValleySetting
🍇
Key Grapes
Marquette, Frontenac, La Crescent
🌡
Climate
Continental, extreme winters
💰
Avg Tasting
$10–$22
✈
Airport
Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)
Did You Know?
Alexis Bailly Vineyard in Hastings, founded in 1978, is Minnesota's oldest commercial winery and a pioneer of cold-climate viticulture in America.

About Twin Cities & St. Croix Valley

The Twin Cities and surrounding St. Croix Valley form the beating heart of Minnesota wine. Within 45 minutes of downtown Minneapolis, visitors can reach 20+ wineries ranging from polished estate operations to urban storefronts to farmstead cideries, a concentration that rivals any metro wine scene in the Midwest.

Waconia, 30 minutes west of Minneapolis, is the epicenter. Sovereign Estate, Schram Vineyards, and Parley Lake Winery sit within minutes of each other, each pouring Marquette, Frontenac, and La Crescent wines from estate and local fruit. East of the cities, the St. Croix Valley trail follows the scenic river through Stillwater, Scandia, and Taylors Falls with wineries at every turn.

In the city itself, AxeBridge, Urban Forage, and Number 12 Cider bring winemaking downtown: producing from local and foraged ingredients in a city whose food scene increasingly demands local beverages. And in Hastings, Alexis Bailly Vineyard, Minnesota's oldest winery, founded 1978,remains a pilgrimage site for cold-climate wine enthusiasts.

Twin Cities & St. Croix Valley Wineries

View all →
Sovereign Estate Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
Sovereign Estate Winery
📍 Waconia, MN
Schram Vineyards
Not Yet Reviewed
Schram Vineyards
📍 Waconia, MN
Parley Lake Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
Parley Lake Winery
📍 Waconia, MN
Alexis Bailly Vineyard
Not Yet Reviewed
Alexis Bailly Vineyard
📍 Hastings, MN
Saint Croix Vineyards
Not Yet Reviewed
Saint Croix Vineyards
📍 Stillwater, MN
7 Vines Vineyard
Not Yet Reviewed
7 Vines Vineyard
📍 Dellwood, MN
AxeBridge Wine Company
Not Yet Reviewed
AxeBridge Wine Company
📍 Minneapolis, MN
Urban Forage Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
Urban Forage Winery
📍 Minneapolis, MN
Number 12 Cider
Not Yet Reviewed
Number 12 Cider
📍 Minneapolis, MN
Rustic Roots Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
Rustic Roots Winery
📍 Scandia, MN
Wild Mountain Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
Wild Mountain Winery
📍 Taylors Falls, MN
Winehaven Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
Winehaven Winery
📍 Chisago City, MN
Woodland Hill Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
Woodland Hill Winery
📍 Delano, MN
Keepsake Cidery
Not Yet Reviewed
Keepsake Cidery
📍 Dundas, MN
North Ridge Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
North Ridge Winery
📍 North Branch, MN
Willow Tree Vineyard
Not Yet Reviewed
Willow Tree Vineyard
📍 Ham Lake, MN
Luce Line Orchard & Vineyard
Not Yet Reviewed
Luce Line Orchard & Vineyard
📍 Watertown, MN
Milk & Honey Ciders
Not Yet Reviewed
Milk & Honey Ciders
📍 St. Joseph, MN

Plan Your Visit

Getting There

Waconia is 30 minutes west of Minneapolis via Highway 5. Stillwater and the St. Croix Valley are 30 minutes east via I-94. Hastings is 30 minutes south. Urban wineries are in Minneapolis proper.

Best Time to Visit

Year-round, though summer and fall are peak. Harvest (September–October) is ideal. Winter visits require planning but most established wineries stay open. Summer weekends bring outdoor events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I start wine tasting near Minneapolis?
Waconia is the easiest first stop; Sovereign Estate, Schram, and Parley Lake are all within 5 minutes of each other, 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis.
What is Marquette wine?
A cold-hardy red grape developed at the University of Minnesota. It produces a medium-bodied wine with cherry, pepper, and earthy notes, often compared to Pinot Noir. It can survive -30°F winters.
Can I visit wineries without a car?
Urban Forage, AxeBridge, and Number 12 Cider are all in Minneapolis and accessible by transit or rideshare. For Waconia and the St. Croix Valley, you'll need a car or tour service.